Showing 481 - 490 of 577
No reason to derail polls
News, Editorial, Published on 01/06/2017
» It was no surprise that the "four questions" raised by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha last Friday sparked public anxiety about a possible delay to the long-awaited elections. Many interpreted them as a strong hint of a postponement by the premier.
Vietnam's foot in Trump door
News, Editorial, Published on 31/05/2017
» The first Asean leader to visit the White House since the election will meet President Donald Trump tonight. While Mr Trump made personal invitations to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, it's not either of them. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will get a foot in the door and a leg up on relations with the new US administration.
Hold the birthday cake
News, Editorial, Published on 22/05/2017
» The military regime of former army commander Prayut Chan-o-cha and his junta turn three today. Champagne and birthday cake aren't on the menu. The main achievement in 2014 of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) was to stop the street protests and occasionally deadly violence of clashing political beliefs. Three years on, that is still the regime's top accomplishment. Gen Prayut promised to address and solve root problems but has made no progress in either.
Ahok case spreads hate
News, Editorial, Published on 15/05/2017
» The combination of a guilty verdict followed by a two-year jail sentence is the worst court judgement in a long time. The man on the receiving end is the governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known by his nickname, Ahok. He was convicted of blasphemy, one of most nebulous of thought crimes. The verdict makes Indonesia directly exposed to imminent violence of the most destructive kind. And the hatred the court promoted will spread through the region.
Suu Kyi must let help in
News, Editorial, Published on 13/05/2017
» Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi should accept a call by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to allow its aid workers access to people caught up in a conflict that has displaced tens of thousands.
Goverment can't rely on pot luck
News, Editorial, Published on 11/05/2017
» Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's decision to change lotus pots at Government House from grey to greenish-blue has prompted speculation that it might have something do with adhering to principles of feng shui, or Chinese geomancy, in order to boost the luck of his regime.
The war over North Korea
News, Editorial, Published on 09/05/2017
» South Korea votes today for a new president. The election shows the world that country is a true democracy. After holding their former president accountable and legally impeaching her, the South Koreans are constitutionally electing a new head of state. This is a true achievement for a country that so recently was a military dictatorship, and shows up the northern half of Korea as a sad but violent nation, important only because of its threats to international peace.
Gag orders getting worse
News, Editorial, Published on 05/05/2017
» With a general election expected to take place next year, it is about time Thailand returned to the open and tolerant society it once was before the 2014 coup. This much-needed change in the political climate with regard to opinions is vital if the military regime is serious about following its road map to democracy. But a series of developments over the past few weeks gives no indication the country is anywhere near that stage.
US discovers SE Asia
News, Editorial, Published on 24/04/2017
» One hundred days into the Donald Trump presidency, the United States has realised there is a part of the world it ignored. Vice-President Mike Pence has been in Indonesia, praising its "moderate" Muslims. Mr Trump will attend all three big East Asia summits in November. He also will make official visits to Vietnam and the Philippines. They are the hosts of the summits of the Association of Southeast Asian nations (Asean), the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec), and East Asia.
End the local leader mafia
News, Editorial, Published on 14/04/2017
» The National Reform Steering Committee (NRSA) has for the first time in years come out with an issue where it has broad-based support from academics, politicians and the general public.